A council notice claimed a horse had been “detained” after it was spotted running loose in a Cambridge park - but the News can reveal there was ‘nay problem’.

The notice posted ‘under section 7C(2) (a) following detention of a horse' of the Animal Act, was put up on Stourbridge Common raising concerns from passers by that the black and white steed was being held in some sort of equine jail - otherwise known as a stable.

Horse detained (Image: Richard Taylor)

Cambridge City Council’s notice about its powers to detain horses went on to say that if no “information was forthcoming within 96 hours - the authority would take the animal away".

But there was no need as it seems the owner stepped in and led the horse away - without having to pay any hay as bail.

Richard Taylor, of Milton Road, tweeted: “Cambridge City Council has detained a horse. Where is Cambridge’s horse jail?”

Stourbridge Common (Image: Richard Taylor)

A council spokesman said: “The horse was removed from Stourbridge Common, prompted by the notice.

“The council did not need to ‘detain’ the horse.

“I am assuming the owner removed the horse. It is not unusual for ‘fly grazing’ where someone puts their horse on the common without paying a fee.

“The notice is part of the process for removing animals grazing without permission.”